The second rendition of the Arnold Europe, staged today in Madrid, Spain, boasted a seventeen man field with the major question being could Shawn Rhoden build on his sensational 3rds place finish at the Olympia two weeks ago?

The answer at the half way stage of the contest is a definite yes! Blessed with a great structure and tiny waist, he brought hard muscularity and peeled conditioning (his serratus was sick) into play and seemed better than fourteen days ago in Vegas. The bottom line is that today he was absolutely dominant, and it seems clear he will maintain his upward momentum when the 2013 season begins.

Shawn Rhoden living the dream, he came from nowhere and now this. extremely happy for him i am.

He's definately got the size, and probably the most appealing physique out of all the pros today. All he really needs is to cut up just a tad more without losing the size. He'll definately be one to watch out for in the next 2 years.